Adaptor for use with non-cylindrical vapor products

ABSTRACT

A system for testing a vapor product with a mouthpiece that has a non-circular cross section includes an adaptor coupled to a neck portion of a filter pad holder. The adaptor includes a nose to receive the neck portion and an adaptor body coupled to the nose. An opening is defined by the adaptor body and the nose, the opening extending through the adaptor body and the nose and configured to receive the neck portion. A sealing member is configured to be received by the adaptor and the filter pad holder. The sealing member includes a sealing member nose configured to be received by the neck portion, and a sealing member body coupled to the sealing member nose and configured to be received by the opening. The sealing member body defines an orifice, the orifice extending through the sealing member body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/827,445, filed on Mar. 23, 2020, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/408,336,filed on May 9, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,119,083, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to adaptors for testing vapor products.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to adaptors fortesting vapor products that include mouthpieces with a non-circularcross-section.

BACKGROUND

Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years asimprovements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that requirecombusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices purportedly have beendesigned to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, orpipe smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities ofincomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from theburning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numeroussmoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers that utilizeelectrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt toprovide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking withoutburning tobacco to a significant degree. For example, variousalternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heatgenerating sources are set forth in the background art described in U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 toCounts et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,274 to White; U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,474to Thompson; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0060554 to Collett et al.,U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/826,929 to Ampolini et al., filed Mar. 14, 2013,and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/011,992 to Davis et al., filedAug. 28, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Other various embodiments of products and heatingconfigurations are described in the background sections of U.S. Pat. No.5,388,594 to Counts et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 to Robinson etal., which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Popular electronic or electrically powered smoking articles (e.g.,electronic cigarettes, E-cigarettes, etc.) (referred to hereincollectively as “vapor products”) often include a liquid storagecomponent for storing aerosol precursor material (e.g., aerosol formingagent, liquid smoke, etc.), a vaporizing chamber with a heating coilattached for the aerosol precursor material to become vaporized therein,and a battery to power the device. The heating coil material typicallyincludes a nickel/chromium wire, a titanium wire, nichrome wire, orsimilar alloy wires. The aerosol precursor material typically includes amixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, water and flavoring.Various electronic smoking articles have a single device which housesboth the heating element and the aerosol precursor material in one unit,commonly referred to as a cartomizer.

Certain tobacco products that have employed electrical energy to produceheat for smoke or aerosol formation. In particular, certain productsthat have been referred to as electronic cigarette products orelectronic smoking articles have been commercially available throughoutthe world. Representative products that resemble many of the attributesof traditional types of cigarettes, cigars or pipes have been marketedas ACCORD® by Philip Morris Incorporated; ALPHA™, JOYE 510™ and M4™ byInnoVapor LLC; CIRRUS™ and FLING™ by White Cloud Cigarettes; COHITA™,COLIBRI™, ELITE CLASSIC™, MAGNUM™, PHANTOM™ and SENSE™ by Epuffer®International Inc.; DUOPRO™, STORM™ and VAPORKING® by ElectronicCigarettes, Inc.; EGAR™ by Egar Australia; eGo-C™ and eGo-T™ byJoyetech; ELUSION™ by Elusion UK Ltd; EONSMOKE® by Eonsmoke LLC; GREENSMOKE® by Green Smoke Inc. USA; GREENARETTE™ by Greenarette LLC;HALLIGAN™, HENDU™ JET™, MAXXQ™ PINK™ and PITBULL™ by Smoke Stik®;HEATBAR™ by Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO IMPERIAL™ and LXE™from Crown7; LOGIC™ and THE CUBAN™ by LOGIC Technology; LUCI® by LucianoSmokes Inc.; METRO® by Nicotek, LLC; NJOY® and ONEJOY™ by Sottera, Inc.;NO. 7™ by SS Choice LLC; PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE™ by PremiumEstoreLLC; RAPP E-MYSTICK™ by Ruyan America, Inc.; RED DRAGON™ by Red DragonProducts, LLC; RUYAN® by Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd.; SMART SMOKER® byThe Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd.; SMOKE ASSIST® byCoastline Products LLC; SMOKING EVERYWHERE® by Smoking Everywhere, Inc.;V2CIGS™ by VMR Products LLC; VAPOR NINE™ by VaporNine LLC; VAPOR4LIFE®by Vapor 4 Life, Inc.; VEPPO™ by E-CigaretteDirect, LLC and VUSE® by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company. Yet other electrically powered aerosoldelivery devices, and in particular those devices that have beencharacterized as so-called electronic cigarettes, have been marketedunder the tradenames BLU™; COOLER VISIONS™; DIRECT E-CIG™; DRAGONFLY™;EMIST™; EVERSMOKE™; GAMUCCI®; HYBRID FLAME™; KNIGHT STICKS™; ROYALBLUES™; SMOKETIP® and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE™. In some of these electronicsmoking articles, when the user inhales on the electronic smokingarticle, aerosol precursor material is ‘pulled’ from the reservoir intoa vaporizing chamber using gravity and capillary in the wick. Theaerosol precursor material is either adsorbed or resting on theelectronic smoking article's heating apparatus and heated until itbecomes vapor. The vapor is drawn away from the heated region of thedevice, where it subsequently cools and condenses into a high numberdensity, generally sub-micron aerosol whereupon it then exits thedevice. The wick material can include any combination of silica, organiccotton, cellucotton rayon fibers, stainless steel, fiberglass, ceramic,and other materials with similar properties.

Just as combustible cigarettes must be tested to determine the levels ofvarious compounds present in the smoke inhaled by a user, E-cigarettesmust also be tested to determine the levels of various compounds presentin the vapor inhaled by a user. A conventional testing method includesconnecting the e-cigarette to a puffing machine that simulates a userinhaling. The vapor from the simulated inhalation passes through afilter, and the filter captures the compounds present in the vapor forsubsequent testing. A common filter used in this application is aCambridge pad filter. The filter is analyzed to determine the compoundlevels present in the vapor that a user would inhale.

Conventional testing systems are designed to accommodate a combustiblecigarette or e-cigarette that has a mouthpiece with a circularcross-section. However, some e-cigarettes do not have a mouthpiece witha circular cross-section. When connecting a mouthpiece with anon-circular cross-section to a conventional testing system, additionalcomponents are needed to couple the mouthpiece with a non-circularcross-section of the e-cigarette to the connectors with circularcross-sections on the conventional testing system. These additionalcomponents create areas that can capture liquid or vapor during testingand prevent the liquid or vapor from reaching the filter, thuscompromising the test results.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a system for testing a product. In thisembodiment, the system includes a filter pad holder comprising a bodyportion and a neck portion, and an adaptor coupled to the neck portionof the filter pad holder. The adaptor of this embodiment includes a noseconfigured to receive the neck portion and an adaptor body coupled tothe adaptor nose. In this embodiment, an adaptor port is defined by theadaptor nose and extends from an outer surface of the adaptor nose to aninterior portion of the adaptor. An opening of this embodiment isdefined by the adaptor body and the adaptor nose, the opening extendingthrough the adaptor body and the adaptor nose and configured to receivethe neck portion. A sealing member of this embodiment is configured tobe received by the adaptor and the filter pad holder. In thisembodiment, the sealing member includes a sealing member nose configuredto be received by the neck portion, and a sealing member body coupled tothe sealing member nose and configured to be received by the opening.The sealing member body, in this embodiment, defines an orifice, theorifice extending through the sealing member body. At least one sealingsurface of this embodiment is located within the orifice, the at leastone sealing surface configured to create a seal with a mouthpiece of theproduct, the mouthpiece possessing a non-circular cross-section. In thisembodiments, an outlet is defined by the sealing member nose, the outletextending from the orifice through the sealing member nose and in fluidcommunication with the product. A sealing member port of this embodimentis defined by the sealing member nose and extends from an outer surfaceof the sealing member nose to the outlet. The sealing member port ofthis embodiments is in fluid communication with the adaptor port.

Another embodiment relates to a system for testing a product. Thesystem, in this embodiment, includes a filter pad holder comprising abody portion and a neck portion, and an adaptor coupled to the neckportion of the filter pad holder. The adaptor of this embodimentincludes an adaptor nose configured to receive the neck portion and anadaptor body coupled to the adaptor nose. In this embodiment, an adaptorport is defined by the adaptor nose and extends from an outer surface ofthe adaptor nose to an interior portion of the adaptor. An opening, inthis embodiment, is defined by the adaptor body and the adaptor nose,the opening extending through the adaptor body and the adaptor nose andconfigured to receive the neck portion. A sealing member of thisembodiment is configured to be received by the adaptor and the filterpad holder. The sealing member, in this embodiment, includes a sealingmember nose configured to be received by the neck portion, and a sealingmember body coupled to the sealing member nose and configured to bereceived by the opening. The sealing member body of this embodimentdefines an orifice, the orifice extending through the sealing memberbody. In this embodiment, a slot extends from the orifice partiallythrough the sealing member body. At least one sealing surface, in thisembodiment, is within the orifice, the at least one sealing surfaceconfigured to create a seal with a mouthpiece of the product, themouthpiece possessing a non-circular cross-section. In this embodiment,an outlet is defined by the sealing member nose, the outlet extendingfrom the orifice through the sealing member nose and in fluidcommunication with the product. A sealing member port of this embodimentis defined by the sealing member nose and extends from an outer surfaceof the sealing member nose to the outlet. The sealing member port, inthis embodiment, is in fluid communication with the adaptor port via agap defined by an inner surface of the adaptor nose and the outersurface of the adaptor port.

Still another embodiment relates to a method for testing a product witha mouthpiece possessing a non-circular cross-section. In thisembodiment, the method includes providing a system for testing aproduct. The system of this embodiment includes a filter pad holdercomprising a body portion and a neck portion. An adaptor, in thisembodiment, is coupled to the neck portion of the filter pad holder, andthe adaptor includes an adaptor nose configured to receive the neckportion and an adaptor body coupled to the adaptor nose. In thisembodiment, an adaptor port is defined by the adaptor nose and extendsfrom an outer surface of the adaptor nose to an interior portion of theadaptor. An opening of this embodiment is defined by the adaptor body,the opening extending through the adaptor body and the adaptor nose andconfigured to receive the neck portion. A sealing member, in thisembodiment, is configured to be received by the adaptor and the filterpad holder, the sealing member comprising a sealing member noseconfigured to be received by the neck portion and a sealing member bodycoupled to the sealing member nose and configured to be received by theopening. In this embodiment, the sealing member body defines an orifice,the orifice extending through the sealing member body. At least onesealing surface of this embodiment is within the orifice, the at leastone sealing surface configured to create a seal with the mouthpiece ofthe product. An outlet of this embodiment is defined by the sealingmember nose, the outlet extending from the orifice through the sealingmember nose and in fluid communication with the product. In thisembodiment, a sealing member port is defined by the sealing member noseand extends from an outer surface of the sealing member nose to theoutlet. The sealing member port in fluid communication with the adaptorport. The method of this embodiment further includes inserting themouthpiece into the orifice such that a seal is created between themouthpiece and the at least one sealing surface and suspending theproduct from the system such that the product is prevented from fallingby the at least one sealing surface. The method of this embodimentincludes coupling the system to a puffing machine, the puffing machineconfigured to simulate use of the product, and initiating the puffingmachine to cause the product to create fluid, wherein the outlet isconfigured to direct fluid from the product to the filter pad holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several implementations in accordance withthe disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodimentsof the present application will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1B are perspective views of a sealing member for use with asystem for testing a vapor product, according to a particularembodiment.

FIGS. 1C-1D are cross sectional views of the sealing member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing member for use with a systemfor testing a vapor product, according to particular embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adaptor for use with a system fortesting a vapor product, according to a particular embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4C are various perspective and cross-sectional views of a testassembly for testing a vapor product, according to a particularembodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5C are various perspective and cross-sectional views of a testassembly for testing a vapor product, according to a particularembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an adaptor with a thermal port, according to aparticular embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a test assemblyincluding the adaptor of FIG. 6, according to a particular embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, a system for testing a vapor productis shown. An example of a vapor product is an e-cigarette. Ane-cigarette producer may desire to test a non-cylindrical e-cigaretteproduct to determine the performance of the e-cigarette by testing thevapor drawn from the mouthpiece of the non-cylindrical e-cigarette. Asdescribed herein, a non-cylindrical e-cigarette product refers to ane-cigarette that includes a mouthpiece that is not circular incross-section. As described herein, a cylindrical e-cigarette productrefers to an e-cigarette that includes a mouthpiece that is circular incross-section. To test the non-cylindrical e-cigarette in a conventionaltesting system, the producer must include additional components suchthat the non-cylindrical e-cigarette can be operatively connected to theconventional testing system that is designed to accommodate acylindrical product. Because additional components are included, theflow of vapor from the mouthpiece to the filter pad included with thetesting system may be compromised, resulting in undesirable testingoutcomes.

A testing system according to various embodiments comprises a sealingmember and an adaptor. The adaptor is operatively coupled to the filterpad holder and to the sealing member. The sealing member is operativelycoupled to the adaptor and the non-cylindrical e-cigarette, and isfluidly coupled to the filter pad holder. The sealing member isconfigured to accommodate a non-cylindrical e-cigarette such that noadditional components are needed to provide a secure connection. Thesealing member provides an outlet that is configured to direct vaporfrom the non-cylindrical e-cigarette to the filter pad holder withoutcompromising the flow of vapor.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1B, perspective views of a sealing member 100for use with a system for testing a vapor product are shown, accordingto a particular embodiment. The sealing member 100 includes a sealingmember body 102, a sealing member nose 104, an outlet 106, and anorifice 108. The sealing member 100 can be manufactured from a resilientmaterial (e.g., silicone, rubber, or other resilient materials) that iscapable of being elastically deformed and returning to its pre-deformedshape. In some embodiments, the sealing member can be manufactured froma medical-grade resilient material. As shown, the sealing member 100 isa single component, however in some embodiments the sealing member 100can be constructed from multiple components.

The sealing member body 102 has a non-circular cross-section and isconfigured to couple with an adaptor for a filter pad holder, which willbe further described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown, thecross-section of the sealing member body 102 has a “racetrack” shape,with “racetrack” referring to two curved portions positioned oppositeeach other with straight sections between the curved portions. The“racetrack” shape can also be referred to as a “stadium” shape, adiscorectangle, an obround shape, and a “compound radius”. In somearrangements where the adaptor exhibits other shapes, the cross-sectionof the sealing member body 102 can be shaped appropriately (e.g.,rectangular, elliptical, oval, square, or other shapes that do not havea circular cross-section) to couple with the adaptor.

The orifice 108 extends through the sealing member body 102 such thatthe orifice 108 is in fluid communication with the outlet 106. Theorifice 108 is sized and configured to receive a non-cylindricalmouthpiece of an e-cigarette. As shown, the orifice 108 has a racetrackshape. However, in some embodiments the orifice 108 can exhibit othershapes (e.g., rectangular, square, or other shapes that do not have acircular cross-section) to match the shape of the non-cylindricalmouthpiece. In some implementations, the sealing member body 102 and theorifice 108 can be the same shape. In some implementations, the sealingmember body 102 and the orifice 108 can be different shapes.

The sealing member nose 104 extends from the sealing member body 102 andhas a cross-section that is substantially circular, in somearrangements. The sealing member nose 104 is configured to couple withthe filter pad holder. In embodiments where the filter pad holderexhibits a mating surface that is not substantially circular, thesealing member nose 104 can be shaped as needed such that the sealingmember nose 104 couples appropriately with the adaptor.

The outlet 106 extends from the orifice 108 through the sealing membernose 104 such that the outlet 106 is in fluid communication with theorifice 108. The outlet 106 is sized and configured to receive vaporfrom a vapor product (e.g., an e-cigarette) and direct the vapor throughthe outlet 106 and toward a filter pad. The shape of the outlet 106 willbe further described with reference to FIGS. 1C-1D.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view from section A-A of the sealing member100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view from section B-B ofthe sealing member 100 of FIG. 1B. As shown, the outlet 108 includes afirst sealing surface 112, a second sealing surface 114, a third sealingsurface 116, a fourth sealing surface 118, a fifth sealing surface 120,and a sealing base 122. The first sealing surface 112, second sealingsurface 114, third sealing surface 116, fourth sealing surface 118, andfifth sealing surface 120 (referred to herein as “the sealing surfaces112-120”) can be formed integrally with the orifice 108. The sealingsurfaces 112-120 are configured to contact a non-cylindrical mouthpieceof a vapor product such that a seal is created between the sealingsurfaces 112-120 and the non-cylindrical mouthpiece. As such, the shapeof the sealing surfaces 112-120 can be modified as needed to match theshape of the non-cylindrical mouthpiece being used. The sealing surfaces112-120 are flexible and resilient such that the sealing surfaces112-120 can be deformed when a non-cylindrical mouthpiece is insertedinto the orifice 108, and after the non-cylindrical mouthpiece isremoved, the sealing surfaces 112-120 return to their original shapesand orientations.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1C-1D, the sealing surfaces 112-120 aretapered. For example, the first sealing surface 112 protrudes into theorifice 108 by a length l and the fifth sealing surface 120 protrudesinto the orifice 108 by a length L, where L is greater than l. Thesecond sealing surface 114, the third sealing surface 116, and thefourth sealing surface 118 also protrude into the orifice 108 byconstantly increasing lengths between l and L such that the sealingsurfaces 112-120 create a tapered seal (e.g., tapered at an angle α) tomatch the taper of the mouthpiece of the vapor product being tested. Inother implementations where the mouthpiece of the tapered product isshaped differently, the sealing surfaces 112-120 can be designed andmanufactured to match the shape of the mouthpiece to create a seal.

The sealing base 122 provides a surface for an end of thenon-cylindrical mouthpiece to contact when the non-cylindricalmouthpiece is inserted into the orifice 108. The sealing base 122 isflexible and resilient such that the sealing base 122 can be deformedwhen the non-cylindrical mouthpiece contacts the sealing base 122, andafter the non-cylindrical mouthpiece is removed from the sealing base122, the sealing base 122 can return to its original shape.

The outlet 106 extends from the sealing base 122 through the sealingmember nose 104 such that the outlet 106 is in fluid communication withthe orifice 108. The outlet 106 is sized and configured to receive vaporfrom a non-cylindrical vapor product and direct the vapor to a filterpad. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1C, the outlet 106 has afrustoconical shape where the larger portion of the frustoconical shape,denoted as H, is located at the tip of the sealing member nose 104 andthe smaller portion of the frustoconical shape, denoted as h, is locatednear the sealing base 122. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1D, theoutlet 106 has a frustoconical shape where the larger portion of thefrustoconical shape, denoted as D, is located near the sealing base 122and the smaller portion of the frustoconical shape, denoted as d, islocated at the tip of the sealing member nose 104. In someimplementations, the outlet 106 can be a variety of shapes other thanfrustoconical configured to direct vapor from the non-cylindricalproduct to the filter pad.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing member 240 for use with asystem for testing a vapor product. The sealing member 240 includes anorifice 210 and sealing surfaces 212 configured to receive anon-cylindrical vapor product. The sealing member 240 further includesthe sealing member body 102, the sealing member nose 104, and the outlet106 (not shown). In some embodiments, the sealing member 240 can includea slot (not shown) that extends from the orifice 210 and partiallythrough the sealing member body 102. The function of the slot will befurther described with reference to FIG. 5. Because various dimensionsof non-cylindrical vapor products can differ between products andmanufacturers, the various dimensions of the sealing member 240 can bemodified to accommodate non-cylindrical vapor products with differentdimensions. This provides for flexibility in test system setup, as manydifferent sealing members can be created for various sizes ofnon-cylindrical products while maintaining compatibility with an adaptorconfigured to receive the sealing member body 102 and the sealing membernose 104.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adaptor 300 for use with a system fortesting a vapor product, according to a particular embodiment. Theadaptor 300 includes an opening 302, an adaptor nose 304, and an adaptorbody 306. The adaptor 300 can be manufactured from a wide variety ofplastic materials (e.g., polycarbonate, nylon, or any other suitableplastic material) or metal materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum,or any other suitable metal material). In some embodiments, the sealingmember can be manufactured from medical-grade plastic or metalmaterials. The adaptor 300 can be molded or machined as a singlecomponent. The adaptor 300 can also be manufactured as multiple,separate components that are subsequently coupled to each other to forman assembly.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the adaptor body 306 is shown ashaving a circular cross-section. However, in some embodiments theadaptor body 306 can include a wide variety of cross-sectional shapes(e.g., elliptical, rectangular, or any other suitable cross-sectionalshape) that provide the desired result. The adaptor body 306 includesthe opening 302. The opening 302 extends through the adaptor body 306and is configured to receive the sealing member body 102 of FIGS. 1-2.

The adaptor nose 304 extends from the adaptor body 306, and the opening302 extends from the adaptor body 306 through the adaptor nose 304. Theopening 302 is also in communication with the filter pad holder. Theinteraction between the adaptor nose 304 and the filter pad holder willbe further described with reference to FIGS. 4-5.

FIGS. 4A-4C are various perspective and cross-sectional views of a testassembly 400 for testing a vapor product, according to a particularembodiment. The test assembly 400 can be used to test the vapor from anon-cylindrical vapor product. The test assembly 400 includes a filterpad holder 402, a vapor product 430, the adaptor 300, and the sealingmember 240.

The filter pad holder 402 includes a body 406, a neck 408, a filter pad404, a first sealing component 410, an inlet 414, and a recess 416. Thefilter pad holder 402 can be manufactured from plastics (e.g., ABS,polyethylene, polycarbonate, or other suitable plastics) metals (e.g.,stainless steel, aluminum, or other suitable metals), or any othersuitable material. The filter pad holder 402 is configured to couplewith the sealing member 240 and the adaptor 300 to create the testassembly 400.

The filter pad 404 is secured in the body 406 and is configured toabsorb vapor from the vapor product 430. An example of the filter pad404 is a Cambridge filter pad. As shown, the filter pad 404 and the body406 have circular cross-sections. However, in some embodiments thefilter pad 404 and the body 406 can have other cross-sectional shapes.The neck 408 extends from the body 406 and includes a recess 416extending at least partially through the neck 408. The recess 416 issized and configured to receive the sealing member nose 104 of thesealing member 220. The inlet 414 is an opening extending through therecess 416 and is in fluid communication with the outlet 106 and thefilter pad 404.

The neck 408 includes a first sealing component 410 that is configuredto create a seal between the neck 408 and the adaptor 300. The firstsealing component 410 can be any resilient component that can create aseal between surfaces. For example, the first sealing component 410 canbe an o-ring, a gasket, or any other type of sealing component. Asshown, the first sealing component 410 has a circular cross-section;however, in some embodiments the first sealing component 410 can have awide variety of cross-sections (e.g., square, rectangular, elliptical,or any other shape).

The adaptor 300 includes a second sealing component 412 that is locatedin the adaptor nose 304 and is configured to create a seal between theadaptor nose 304 and the neck 408. The second sealing component 412 canbe any resilient component that can create a seal between surfaces. Forexample, the second sealing component 412 can be an o-ring, a gasket, orany other type of sealing component. As shown, the second sealingcomponent 412 has a circular cross-section; however, in some embodimentsthe second sealing component 412 can have a wide variety ofcross-sections (e.g., square, rectangular, elliptical, or any othershape).

The vapor product 430 can be any type of vapor product (e.g., ane-cigarette) and includes a mouthpiece 432. The vapor product 430 isconfigured to heat a liquid enclosed in the vapor product 430 when aninhalation force is applied to the mouthpiece 432. The inhalation forcecan be applied by a user or by a test assembly such as the test assembly400. When the inhalation force is applied, the liquid is rapidly heatedand a vapor is created. The vapor is drawn through the mouthpiece 432 bythe inhalation force. As shown, the mouthpiece 432 has a racetrackcross-section. However, in some arrangements the mouthpiece 432 can haveother cross-sectional shapes (e.g., rectangular, square, or othernon-circular shapes).

In operation, and with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the test assembly 400 isassembled by coupling the filter pad holder 402 and the adaptor 300.When the neck 408 of the filter pad holder 402 is inserted into theadaptor nose 304 of the adaptor 300, the first sealing component 410 andthe second sealing component 412 create seals between the filter padholder 402 and the adaptor 300 to prevent vapor from escaping betweenthe two components.

A sealing member 220 is selected based on the vapor product to betested. In the embodiment where the vapor product 430 is selected to betested, the sealing member 240 is selected because the sealing member240 is designed to be coupled to the vapor product 430. The sealingmember nose 104 of the sealing member 240 is inserted into the adaptor300 until the sealing base 122 contacts the adaptor 300.

The mouthpiece 432 of the vapor product 430 is inserted into the orifice108 and engages with the sealing surfaces 112-120 such that a seal iscreated between the sealing surfaces 112-120 and the mouthpiece 432 thatprevents vapor from escaping between the mouthpiece 432 and the sealingmember 220.

The test assembly 400 is positioned vertically such that the filter padholder 402 is above the vapor product 430. Positioning the test assembly400 in this manner allows vapor from the vapor product 430 to risetoward the filter pad 404 during the test. Because the test assembly 400is positioned vertically, the sealing surfaces 112-120 are strong enoughto hold the mouthpiece 432 stationary and suspend the vapor product 430in a vertical position to prevent the vapor product 430 from slippingand/or falling from the test assembly 400.

The filter pad holder 402 is coupled to a puffing machine (not shown)that simulates inhalation/exhalation cycles such that vapor is drawnfrom the vapor product 430. For example, when the puffing machine runsan inhalation cycle, the puffing machine imparts a vacuum to the filterpad holder 402 to simulate a user inhaling. The vacuum is impartedthrough the filter pad 404, the inlet 414, and the outlet 106 to reachthe mouthpiece 432. When the vapor product 430 senses the vacuum on themouthpiece 432, the liquid in the vapor product 430 is heated to createvapor. The vapor is drawn by the vacuum through the outlet 106 and theinlet 414 such that the vapor reaches the filter pad 404. Thefrustoconical shape of the outlet 106 helps direct the vapor away fromthe mouthpiece 432 and toward the filter pad 404. The filter pad 404captures the vapor during the testing process. After the testing processis complete, the filter pad 404 is removed and tested to determine thecomponents of the vapor.

FIGS. 5A-5C are various perspective and cross-sectional views of a testassembly 500 for testing a vapor product, according to a particularembodiment. The test assembly 500 is substantially similar to the testassembly 400, however the test assembly 500 is shown testing a vaporproduct 530 with a mouthpiece 532. Because the mouthpiece 532 is shapeddifferently than the mouthpiece 432 from FIG. 4, the embodiment of thesealing member 240 that includes a slot is used because the slot isdesigned to fit with the mouthpiece 532.

As shown, the sealing member 240 includes a slot 510 located in thesealing member nose 104. The slot 510 is a recess extending partiallyinto the sealing member nose 104 such that the sealing member nose 104does not interfere with the pressure sensor in the vapor product 530. Insome embodiments, the pressure sensor on the vapor product 530 issituated adjacent to the mouthpiece 532 to detect the vacuum andinitiate the heating element to heat the liquid. If the pressure sensoris blocked by the sealing member 240, the vapor product 530 would notsense the vacuum imparted by the puffing machine and therefore would notheat the liquid to create the vapor. With the slot 510 preventing thepressure sensor from being blocked, the test assembly 500 operates inthe same manner as the test assembly 400.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an adaptor 600 with an adaptor port 608,according to a particular embodiment. The adaptor 600 of the illustratedembodiment is similar in several respects to the adaptor 300, except forthe addition of the adaptor port 608. Accordingly, the adaptor nose 604and the adaptor body 606 of this embodiment are similar to the adaptornose 304 and the adaptor body 306, respectively, of FIG. 3. The adaptornose 604 of the illustrated embodiment defines an adaptor port 608 thatextends through a portion of the adaptor nose 604 to reach an interiorportion of the adaptor 600. The adaptor port 608 of this embodiment isconfigured to receive one or more sensors to measure and/or analyzevarious characteristics of a vapor product being tested using theadaptor 600. In some embodiments, the sensors can include one or more ofa thermocouple, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, or any other type ofsensor configured to detect one or more characteristics associated withtesting a vapor product. For example, in some embodiments, the sensorincludes a thermocouple or thermal probe configured to detect an exittemperature of a vapor product (e.g., the temperature of the vaporproduct as the vapor exits the vapor product).

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors are sized such that the oneor more sensors creates a seal with an inner surface of the adaptor port608 to prevent air and/or vapor from escaping from the adaptor port 608.In some embodiments, a seal is created between the one or more sensorsand the inner surface of the adaptor port 608 with an adhesive material.For example, in some embodiments a silicone adhesive may be used toaffix the one or more sensors within the adaptor port 608 and fill anyair gaps between the one or more sensors and the inner surface of theadaptor port 608 to create a seal that prevents air and/or vapor fromescaping from the adaptor port 608.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a test assembly 800including the adaptor of FIG. 6, according to a particular embodiment.For example, the test assembly 800 of the illustrated embodiment showsthe adaptor 600 in communication with a sealing member 700. The sealingmember 700 of the illustrated embodiment is similar to the sealingmember 100 and the sealing member 240, with the only difference beingthat the sealing member 700 includes a sealing member port 714.Accordingly, the sealing member body 702, the sealing member nose 704,the outlet 706, the orifice 708, and the sealing surfaces 712 of thisembodiment are similar to corresponding features of the sealing member100 and the sealing member 240, respectively.

In some embodiments, the sealing member port 714 extends through aportion of the sealing member 700 from an outer surface of the sealingmember port 714 to the outlet 706. Accordingly, the sealing member port714 of this embodiment is in fluid communication with the outlet 706.The sealing member port 714 of the illustrated embodiment is configuredto receive the one or more sensors that extend through the adaptor port608 such that the one or more sensors can be positioned within the flowof the vapor product as the vapor product flows through the outlet 706.For example, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors can bepositioned within a gap 716 that extends between the sealing member 700and the adaptor 600, where the gap 716 is defined by an inner surface ofthe adaptor nose 604 and an outer surface of the sealing member nose704. In some embodiments, positioning the one or more sensors within thegap 716 allows vapor to flow unencumbered through the outlet 706 suchthat particulate matter to be measured by a filter pad (e.g. the filterpad 404) is not disrupted by the presence of the one or more sensors.

In operation, in some embodiments a manufacturer may desire to determinea characteristic of vapor as vapor exits a vapor product. Based on themeasured characteristic, the manufacturer may modify the vapor productto change the characteristic. For example, in some embodiments, based ona measured exit temperature, the manufacturer may modify the vaporproduct to increase or decrease the exit temperature. To measure theexit temperature in the illustrated embodiments, the manufacturerconnects a vapor product to the test assembly 800 to measure both theparticulate in the vapor and the exit temperature of the vapor. When thetest is initiated, a puffing machine draws vapor from the vapor productin this embodiment. As the vapor flows through the outlet 706 of theillustrated embodiment, a portion of the vapor is directed through thesealing member port 714 such that the vapor contacts the one or moresensors positioned within the gap 716 or the adaptor port 608. In someembodiments, the remainder of the vapor flows to the filter pad (notshown) to measure an amount of particulate that may be present in thevapor.

The vapor products described herein have referred to heating elementsand wick and coil technology to create the vapor that is drawn throughthe filter pad. However, the vapor products described herein cangenerate vapor with any suitable atomization technology including, butnot limited to, heating, vibrating piezoelectric, piezomagnetic mesh,and any other technology configured to atomize liquid and generatevapor.

Embodiments described above generally reference vapor products. However,additional products with non-cylindrical mouthpieces can be encompassedby the foregoing description. Examples of products include, but are notlimited to, hookah pipes, water pipes, tobacco pipes, and any otherproduct or device where using the device or product generates abyproduct or waste product (e.g., smoke, water particles, etc.) that canbe captured and measured.

As utilized herein, the term “substantially,” and similar terms areintended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and acceptedusage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matterof this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art who review this disclosure that these termsare intended to allow a description of certain features described andclaimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precisenumerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should beinterpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in thisdisclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter describedherein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may beconstructed of multiple components or elements, the position of elementsmay be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number ofdiscrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order orsequence of any method processes may be varied or re-sequenced accordingto alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes,and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for testing a product, comprising: afilter pad holder; an adaptor coupled to the filter pad holder, theadaptor defining an opening extending therethrough and configured toreceive a portion of the filter pad holder; a sealing member configuredto be received by the adaptor and the filter pad holder, the sealingmember comprising: a sealing member nose configured to be received bythe filter pad holder; a sealing member body coupled to the sealingmember nose and configured to be received by the opening, the sealingmember body defining an orifice, the orifice extending through thesealing member body; at least one sealing surface within the orifice,the at least one sealing surface configured to create a seal with amouthpiece of the product an outlet defined by the sealing member nose,the outlet extending from the orifice through the sealing member noseand in fluid communication with the product; and a sealing member portdefined by the sealing member nose, the sealing member port extendingfrom an outer surface of the sealing member nose to the outlet, thesealing member port in fluid communication with the adaptor.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the filter pad holder defines an inletextending through the filter pad holder, the inlet in fluidcommunication with the outlet.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thefilter pad holder includes a first sealing component, the first sealingcomponent forming a seal with the adaptor when the first sealingcomponent is coupled to the adaptor.
 4. The system of claim 2, whereinthe adaptor includes a second sealing component, the second sealingcomponent forming a seal with the filter pad holder when the secondsealing component is coupled to the filter pad holder.
 5. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one sealing surface comprises a pluralityof sealing surfaces.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the mouthpiece istapered such that a smaller portion of the mouthpiece is adjacent to theoutlet and a larger portion of the mouthpiece extends away from theoutlet, the plurality of sealing surfaces configured to create a sealwith the smaller portion and the larger portion.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein the at least one sealing surface is deformable so as to matchthe shape of the mouthpiece.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein theplurality of sealing surfaces are configured to suspend the productvertically and prevent the product from slipping out of the plurality ofsealing surfaces.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet isconfigured to direct a portion of a byproduct from the mouthpiece to thefilter pad holder and a remainder of the byproduct through the sealingmember port such that a characteristic of the byproduct can be measured.10. A system for testing a product, comprising: a filter pad holder; anadaptor coupled to the filter pad holder, the adaptor defining anopening extending therethrough and configured to receive a portion ofthe filter pad holder; a sealing member configured to be received by theadaptor and the filter pad holder, the sealing member comprising: asealing member nose configured to be received by the filter pad holder;a sealing member body coupled to the sealing member nose and configuredto be received by the opening, the sealing member body defining anorifice, the orifice extending through the sealing member body; a slotextending from the orifice and partially through the sealing memberbody; at least one sealing surface within the orifice, the at least onesealing surface configured to create a seal with a mouthpiece of theproduct; an outlet defined by the sealing member nose, the outletextending from the orifice through the sealing member nose and in fluidcommunication with the product; and a sealing member port defined by thesealing member nose, the sealing member port extending from an outersurface of the sealing member nose to the outlet, the sealing memberport in fluid communication with the adaptor.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the filter pad holder defines an inlet extending through thefilter pad holder, the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet. 12.The system of claim 11, wherein the filter pad holder includes a firstsealing component, the first sealing component forming a seal with theadaptor when the first sealing component is coupled to the adaptor. 13.The system of claim 11, wherein the adaptor includes a second sealingcomponent, the second sealing component forming a seal with the filterpad holder when the second sealing component is coupled to the filterpad holder.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sealingsurface comprises a plurality of sealing surfaces.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the mouthpiece is tapered such that a smaller portionof the mouthpiece is adjacent to the outlet and a larger portion of themouthpiece extends away from the outlet, the plurality of sealingsurfaces configured to create a seal with the smaller portion and thelarger portion.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least onesealing surface is deformable so as to match the shape of themouthpiece.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of sealingsurfaces are configured to suspend the product vertically and preventthe product from slipping out of the plurality of sealing surfaces. 18.The system of claim 10, wherein the outlet is configured to direct aportion of a vapor from the mouthpiece to the filter pad holder and aremainder of the vapor through the sealing member port such that acharacteristic of the vapor can be measured.
 19. A method for testing aproduct with a mouthpiece possessing a non-circular cross-section,comprising: providing a system for testing a product, the systemcomprising: a filter pad holder; an adaptor coupled to the filter padholder, the adaptor defining an opening extending therethrough andconfigured to receive a portion of the filter pad holder; a sealingmember configured to be received by the adaptor and the filter padholder, the sealing member comprising: a sealing member nose configuredto be received by the filter pad holder; a sealing member body coupledto the sealing member nose and configured to be received by the opening,the sealing member body defining an orifice, the orifice extendingthrough the sealing member body; at least one sealing surface within theorifice, the at least one sealing surface configured to create a sealwith the mouthpiece; an outlet defined by the sealing member nose, theoutlet extending from the orifice through the sealing member nose and influid communication with the product; and a sealing member port definedby the sealing member nose, the sealing member port extending from anouter surface of the sealing member nose to the outlet, the sealingmember port in fluid communication with the adaptor; inserting themouthpiece into the orifice such that a seal is created between themouthpiece and the at least one sealing surface; suspending the productfrom the system such that the product is prevented from falling by theat least one sealing surface; coupling the system to a puffing machine,the puffing machine configured to simulate use of the product; andinitiating the puffing machine to cause the product to create a fluid,wherein the outlet is configured to direct the fluid from the product tothe filter pad holder.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the outletpossesses a frustoconical shape.